DAR AL HARB - U.K.: BRITS SPEAKING TO EUROPE'S BIN LADEN REPRESENTATIVE IN ORDER TO GAIN THE RELEASE OF BRIT REPORTER, ALAN JOHNSTON

British government in talks with jailed Bin Laden associate to make an appeal to free kidnapped BBC correspondent

The British government is in talks with a man once known as Osama bin Laden's spiritual ambassador in Europe in an attempt to secure the release of kidnapped BBC correspondent Alan Johnston, the Foreign Office said Thursday.

"We have been in discussion with Abu Qatada via his lawyer with regards to making an appeal for his release," said a Foreign Office spokeswoman, who spoke on condition of anonymity in line with government policy.

Johnston, who turned 45 Thursday, has been held since he was kidnapped March 12 in Gaza City by Palestinian gunmen. His alleged kidnappers have demanded Qatada's release from Longlartin Prison in Britain.

Qatada — a radical cleric of Palestinian-Jordanian descent and a Jordanian citizen — was once described by a Spanish judge as Osama bin Laden's "spiritual ambassador in Europe." He is awaiting deportation to Jordan after the British government accused him of raising funds for extremist groups and offering "spiritual advice and religious legitimacy" to militants planning attacks.

"As we have said over the past 66 days we welcome any assistance from any individual who might be in a position to influence the release of Alan Johnston," the British Broadcasting Corp. said in a statement.

Qatada's case is seen as the first real test of Britain's plan to deport terrorist suspects to countries with poor human rights records, after securing guarantees that those deported will not be tortured. Opponents claim the agreements, which are not binding, offer no protection to suspects.

His appeal against his deportation was refused in February. Qatada's lawyer, Gareth Peirce, said she would appeal again.

There is no immediate timeframe for his deportation.

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